Book closed on story readings
A Rainbow Storytime tour of New Zealand has been cancelled after its drag queens say they were sent death threats.
The nationwide tour of Rainbow Storytime, hosted by Taranaki drag queens Erika and CoCo Flash, was due to kick off in October.
The tour would have seen the drag queens reading books about inclusion, acceptance, self-confidence, kindness and anti-bullying to children in libraries.
But now the pair have announced that they were “very upset and disappointed” to have to cancel the tour.
It follows the cancellation of a session in Hastings, after Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki called for protest against the story times, which he claimed were “sexualising our children”.
On their Facebook page, Erika and CoCo – whose real names are Daniel Lockett and Sunita Torrance – said they were forced to cancel their tour so they could focus on taking court action against Destiny Church.
Torrance told RNZ the pair had received death threats.
“Our energy is needed to take that hateful, icky group to court to try and create more widespread change in Aotearoa.
“This is the ultimate action in anti-bullying and the ultimate message of what our story times are about, so we want to do our best.”
The pair said they were determined to “safely” tour New Zealand in 2025.
“Please know that we love and adore you all, please continue to be strong, kind and confident and don't let anyone take away your sparkle.”
Tamaki described the tour’s cancellation as a “victory” on X (formerly Twitter).
“Thank you to everyone who continues to stand with us, as we protect the innocence of our Kiwi kids.”
The cancellation of the rainbow story time in Hastings followed a Destiny Church protest in Gisborne which saw the town’s rainbow pedestrian crossing painted white.
The rainbow was later reinstated. Five people were arrested after they allegedly attempted to paint over the crossing a second time.
Generally during drag queen story times, children are read books about acceptance and inclusion, with a diverse range of characters.
The art of drag can be performed by all genders and often includes an exaggeration of gender expression.
The performances for children are typically flamboyant, but not sexual in nature.